Cheerleading is often associated with Friday night football games, but athletes on the Dartmouth High School varsity cheerleading team say the sport is more difficult than “so many people” realize.

“It really is so much hard work, and no one knows,” said junior Cecelia Trahan. “Everyone thinks we just shake our pompoms and say, ‘Rah, rah.’”

During the first few weeks of the season, the team focuses on preparing for games and practicing sideline cheers and stunts, but the athletes soon shift gears to focus on their weekend competitions.

“We compete — we build these routines that we have three months to build,” said junior Aubrey Fernandes.

With their first competition fast approaching, the team is working on their routine to “really fine tune” their skills, Head Coach Rebecca Braga said.

“If they really push through and hit what they can do, then they’re going to be amazing,” she added.

Starting in October, the cheer team has competitions most weekends.

“They’re very competitive and definitely difficult at times,” said Jenna Farland, a senior and team captain. “But it’s fun to just try your best.”

A cheerleading routine includes jumps, tumbling, stunting, dancing and performing, Trahan said.

“It really takes maximum energy and maximum effort,” she said.

While many sport teams rely on teamwork for success, this is particularly true for cheerleading.

When Trahan was in class on Monday, Oct. 7, a football player asked her if the cheer team was practicing this week “because there’s no game.”

“I literally laughed at him because if only he knew how much work we were going to be putting in this week,” Trahan said. “We have our first competition this weekend, and that’s no joke.”

Aubrey Fernandes, who is a junior, said that cheer practice isn’t as simple as saying “‘I’m just going to do whatever today.’”

“You have to put your full effort into absolutely everything you do or people will get hurt,” she added.

Trahan agreed.

“Cheer is something that requires a lot of trust because the things that we do are dangerous and a little bit risky,” she said.

To strengthen and build trust between the athletes, Braga said she tries to create a “family atmosphere” on top of hard work.

Before each football game the girls all get ready together, Braga said, adding that it’s nice to see the girls “come together on their own.”

Fernandes said she felt that the team is “like a family.”

“You create such a comfort level where you trust them with so much,” she said. “Because you’re literally trusting them with your life and your safety.”